Schools map long-range plans

Catholic schools in the Albany Diocese are mapping out a plan to guide them into the next century.

Superintendent of schools Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, and the long-range planning committee of the Diocesan School Board are nearing the end of the first phase of their two-part planning process.

BY the end of June, they expect to have a final version of belief, mission and vision statements that will be the basis for a long-range plan for Catholic schools.

Wide input

Between 300 and 400 parents, teachers, local school board members, administrators and pastors have participated in the process, which began last November with forums held throughout the Diocese. At those forums, participants shared the aspects of Catholic schools that were important to them as well as the issues and challenges currently facing the schools.

From the meetings, the superintendent and the long-range planning committee created drafts of belief, mission and vision statements for the schools of the Diocese.

The second round of forums was held in May, again in various regions of the Diocese, for Catholic school constituents to provide comments on the drafts. After incorporating the input gained at these meetings, the superintendent expects to have a final version to present to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard this month.

More to do

Once the statements receive the Bishop's approval, the process will move on to phase two, which Sister Jane described as the "how to" phase.

"First, we had to develop the belief, vision and mission statements," she explained. "The belief and mission statements are the foundation, and the vision statement is where we want to go. Phase two is deciding how we're going to do that. A year from now, I hope to have a long-range plan for Catholic schools with goals and strategies."

The first meeting of the second round of forums was held recently at St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam. Participants said they were pleased with the process.

"I think it's wonderful that it's a collaborative effort," said Eileen Forgione, a first grade teacher at St. Mary's and a parent of a third grader. "People genuinely appreciate being able to participate and help shape their child's school."

On target

Participants in the forum have found the drafts to be on target with most comments focusing on word choice and placement of specific items rather than on the basic content.

The vision statement is broken down into six categories: educational program, resources, faculty and staff, Catholic identity, enrollment, and leadership.

For Lori Catena, co-president of St. Mary's Institute Home School Association, the educational program and Catholic identity of schools are the most important areas. "Catholic identity is important," she said. "We need to teach the basics [of faith.] We also have to offer an above-average education, not just a good Catholic education."

Mrs. Forgione agreed, saying: "The educational area is essential. But our Catholic identity can't be exclusive of our education. It needs to filter into the whole day."

The superintendent was pleased that so many parents were concerned with Catholic identity. "It reinforces for me the point of a Catholic education," she said.

New programs

Sister Jane explained that the planning process is providing the opportunity to explore new ways of providing services. For example, one of the vision statements says: "Consistent with the belief that each child is a unique creation of God, Catholic schools will strive to meet the needs of all students."

Sister Jane said now is the time to see if a new program for students with special learning needs is needed.

"Do we need a school for students with special needs?" she asked. "Maybe we need to look at it."

Early childhood education and aftercare programs will also be looked at during the process. Sister Jane said that the need for expanding those offerings was surfaced during the first round of forums.

Costs

One of the ongoing challenges faced by Catholic school leadership is keeping tuition at a reasonable cost while paying teachers a just salary and maintaining facilities. This problem has come up again as part of the planning process, the superintendent said.

"It's a juggling act," Sister Jane noted. "I don't know how it's going to happen. We need to look at other sources of funding."

An interesting aspect of the first round of forums was the issue of just compensation for teachers, Sister Jane said. One of the draft vision statements reads: "Faculty and staff will receive just compensation in accordance with the teachings on social justice of the Catholic Church."

According to Sister Jane, "This just salary [statement] came from parent groups. Parents said, `We want to make sure we keep quality teachers.'"

Consolidation

Sister Jane said there appears to be little concern about the statement on consolidation of schools. It reads: "In areas where there is not enough population or resources to support an existing Catholic school, plans will be developed to consolidate schools."

She said that statement also came from the people during the first round of forums.

"This came from folks asking if enrollment went down, would there continue to be a school," she said.

Sister Jane has been pleased by the interest at each round of forums. "I am grateful for the willingness of the people to participate in this," she said. "It speaks to a sense of ownership in Catholic schools. Together, we will own this [plan], and it will make us secure for the future."

(06-04-98) [[In-content Ad]]